Selling A House With Termite History (Quick Guide)

Thinking of selling your house, but worried about past termite issues? 

Termites are a common problem in many parts of the world, and they can cause serious damage to homes.

People who might want to buy the house will probably be worried about the condition of the house and whether the termites will come back.

But if you're open and honest, and did all the treatments - you should be able to sell it.

In this post, I’ll give you some tips for selling a house with termite history in the open market. 

Plus, I’ll explain a bit about your other option - cash buyers.

5 Tips For Selling A House With Termite History

Here are my best tips if you are going to list the house with a real estate agent:

Also Read: Pest Infestation In Distressed Homes

#1 Disclose The Termite History

When you're selling a house that has had termites, it's really important to be upfront about it.

In most states, you're actually required by law to tell potential buyers about any known termite problems the house has had.

If you don't, you could get in legal trouble, and the buyers could sue you.

Even if it's not legally required in your state, DO the right thing. Be honest.

You need to share all the details about the house's history with termites, including inspection reports and records of treatments.

#2 Address Buyer Concerns

It's totally normal for buyers to be worried about buying a house that has had termites.

They might be concerned about how much damage was done, whether the treatments really worked, and if the termites could come back.

As the seller, you need to address these concerns directly and help put their minds at ease.

Explain everything you've done to take care of the problem, like hiring exterminators to treat the house and make any necessary repairs.

Let them know if you've done anything extra, like reinforcing the structure or taking steps to prevent future termite issues.

#3 Document Everything

It's super important to have detailed records of all the termite treatments and repairs that have been done to the house.

Gather past inspection reports, treatment records, certificates, invoices and warranties.

These documents prove that you've taken care of the termite problem, and they can help make buyers feel better about the situation.

Also Read: Selling a house with mice

If you've had to repair any structural damage or take preventative measures, make sure you have paperwork to show what was done for it too.

#4 Offer A Termite Inspection And Warranty

To give potential buyers even more peace of mind, think about getting a termite inspection and treatment done before you list the house for sale.

This shows that you're serious about dealing with any possible termite issues before someone buys the house.

You could also look into transferring any existing termite warranty or bond to the new owners.

These warranties can protect the new owners from future termite problems for a certain amount of time.

#5 Price And Negotiate Strategically

If your house has a termite history, you need to price it right and be prepared to negotiate too.

Talk to a real estate professional to get help pricing the house based on its condition and any repairs or treatments that might be needed.

Be ready to negotiate with buyers and maybe meet them in the middle, like offering a credit towards future termite treatments or paying for repairs that come up during the inspection.

Also Read: No response from buyer after home inspection

Addressing these things upfront can make the whole process go more smoothly.

Option 2 - Sell To A Cash Buyer

Now it might take time to sell the house on the open market.

If you're looking for a more straightforward selling process or need to sell your house quickly, you can sell it to a cash buyer instead.

Cash buyers are investors or house-flipping companies that purchase properties as-is.

Plus, they close the deal within a matter of weeks, or even days!

The only downside is that cash buyers usually offer below-market prices for properties, as they factor in the costs of any necessary repairs or renovations.

Also Read: Can you sell a house with bed bugs

FAQs

What If House Failed Termite Inspection?

If the inspection reveals termite problems, you have to arrange a professional termite treatment and retesting to ensure the issue is resolved before closing.

Or you offer the buyer credit or lower the house price, and let them handle it.

Do You Have To Disclose Termites When Selling A House?

Yes, you are generally required to disclose any past or current termite problems  to potential buyers. This should be done through a seller's disclosure statement.

Who Pays For Termite Damage When Buying A Home

The seller is generally responsible for addressing termite problems. This includes paying for treatment and repairs of any existing damage identified during the inspection.